Slim by-election to see three-cornered fight

SLIM POLLS | The Election Commission (EC) has announced three contenders for the Slim by-election after the nomination process ended at 10am today.

Representing BN is acting Tanjung Malim Umno chief Mohd Zaidi Aziz. 

After a draw, he will appear as the second candidate on the ballot paper.

He was proposed by Tanjung Malim PAS chief Mohd Tarmizi Ab Rahman and seconded by Tanjung Malim MIC secretary Mahendrean Govindan.

Zaidi's (below, right) main challenger is syarie lawyer Amir Khusyairi Mohamad Tanusi, who is aligned to former prime minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad's upcoming Pejuang party, a Bersatu splinter.

However, as the party is not yet registered, Amir Khusyairi (below, centre) is contesting as an independent candidate using the "tree" logo. He will appear as the first candidate on the ballot.

The other independent candidate is Satharasekaran Subramaniam, an academic, who will use the "book" logo.

There were two other aspiring independent candidates, but they were unable to submit their nomination papers in time.

The nomination process took place at Dewan Sri Tanjung, a hall within the Tanjung Malim municipal council complex in Slim River town, Perak. It is located around 3km away from the Tanjung Malim toll to the North-South Expressway.

Unlike past by-elections, hardly any supporters gathered to support their candidate due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Some 50 police personnel in face masks have gathered since 6am.

While the government has eased Covid-19 restrictions since late April, a ban on mass gatherings is still in place.

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